A lot of people were disappointed when they heard that FCA US had done away with what was supposed to be a 2019 model year refresh for the Dodge Charger, Dodge Challenger and Chrysler 300. However, recently Dodge has shown some photos of new styling improvements to the 2019 Dodge Charger and 2019 Dodge Challenger, but it still wasn’t the refresh everyone was hoping for. Well the good news is, we are not that far off from seeing the next generation Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger. Yes the Chrysler 300, the big beloved boulevard will go to the parking lot in the sky after the 2020 model year.
Dodge on the other hand, has been hard at work for the past several years at building a next generation Dodge Charger. The next generation Charger’s design was actually shown off to dealers back in August of 2015 at their dealer show in Las Vegas. While mobile devices were taken away from people who entered the dealer show, it didn’t stop them from releasing information about what the next generation Charger would look like. Many of the people whom attended said the next generation Dodge Charger which heavily resembles the 1999 Dodge Charger R/T Concept Car from the C-pillar reward as well as the side scallops in the front doors. One dealer said it looked like the 1999 concept car mixed with a BMW 7-Series sedan.
As for powertrains, we do know that the next generation Dodge Charger will have HEMI power. While we don’t expect the 5.7-liter HEMI to return the sedan, a new 7.0-liter 426 cubic-inch HEMI “Banshee” V8 will make it under the hood along with the 6.2-liter SRT HEMI “HELLCAT” V8. It is rumored that you may have to step up into a higher performance level trim to get a HEMI in the new Charger. The powertrain that will replace the 5.7-liter HEMI is the highly anticipated GME-T6 engine (a turbo inline-6 cylinder). While displacement has yet to be announced, insiders believe the engine the next generation Dodge Charger to be getting is a 3.0-liter version. We expect the next generation of 8-speed automatic transmissions sourced by ZF should be backing up these powertrains.
For the first time since 2006, the Dodge Charger will get a completely new platform. While the dimensions should still be around the same length and width for the chassis, the new chassis will be based on the Giorgio architecture that underpins the Alfa Romeo Guilia. The Charger will still maintain its large car size, but vast more uses of aluminum and high strength steel components the next generation car should be around 200-lbs lighter than the outgoing model. Both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options will be available on the next generation Charger.
Body length will be shorter thanks to the overhangs of the front and rear of the car being shorter. Interior room should be very similar to the current car. Our insiders say that the upcoming Charger will get array of all-new technology as well, putting it on par with other FCA US vehicles.Technology like Lane Departure Warning Plus, Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist with Stop, UConnect full-color heads-up display (HUD), as well as new versions of the UConnect infotainment systems like a new 12.1-inch screen and 10-inch screen will also be available on the car.
The 2021 Dodge Charger will start production sometime around fourth quarter 2020 or first quarter 2021 and assembled at the Brampton Assembly Plant in Brampton, Ontario.
